A code reader for reading one- and/or two-dimensional codes. A position resolving light receiver (3) is mounted in a housing (2). An imaging optics made of several components is associated with the light receiver and is also disposed in the housing. The imaging optics has at least one stationary optics (4) and a deflecting optics arranged on an optical axis (10) in front of the light receiver (3). A pivot arm is mounted on a pivot axis (9) in the housing. Pivoting of the pivot arm results in a positional and angular change of the effective back optical focal distance measured from the vortex of the last back surface of the lens to the focal point thereof. If the objects to be identified are at different distances from the identification apparatus, the pivot arm (8) is pivoted. As a result, the deflection optics mounted on the pivot arm changes the effective back focal distance as well as the focal length of the imaging optics to thereby project an exact image onto the light receiver.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. Apparatus for reading one- or two-dimensional codes comprising a housing, a position resolving light receiver in the housing, an imaging optics having a plurality of components including at least one stationary optics and at least one deflecting optics arranged on an optical axis in front of the light receiver, a pivot arm pivotable about a pivot axis arranged in the housing, the deflecting optics being mounted on the pivot arm so that pivotal movements of the deflecting optics with the pivot arm cause a positional and angular change of an effective back focal distance, wherein the deflecting optics mounted on the pivot arm comprises an optical component which influences a focal length of the imaging optics and wherein, in addition to changes in the effective back focal distance, pivotal movements of the pivot arm change a focal length of the imaging optics.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deflecting optics comprises an inclined concave mirror.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deflecting optics comprises an inclined convex mirror.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a reflecting surface of the concave mirror is one of spherical, aspherical, toroidal or cylindrical.
5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a reflecting surface of the convex mirror is one of spherical, aspherical, toroidal or cylindrical.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deflecting optics comprises one of a concave mirror or a convex mirror, and wherein a surface configuration of the at least one of the concave mirror or the convex mirror is arranged off-axis.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deflecting optics comprises at least one mirror and at least one lens.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deflecting optics comprises a mirror, a first lens in front of the mirror, and a second lens behind the mirror.
9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein at least one of the first lens and the second lens is arranged off-axis for correcting image errors.
10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deflecting optics comprises at least one mirror and at least one of a convex lens or a concave lens.
11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a first component of the deflecting optics comprises a spectral filter.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the spectral filter is formed by a component of the deflecting optics.
13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deflecting optics comprises a lens having one of a spherical, aspherical, toroidal or cylindrical surface configuration.
14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein pivotal movements of the pivot arm do not substantially change a center of the image on the light receiver.
15. Apparatus according to claim 1 including an actuator which mechanically defines the magnitude of the movement of the pivot arm.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the actuator comprises one of a linear or a rotary actuator.
17. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a flat, flexible spring band defining the pivot axis for the pivot arm and having first and second ends which are connected to components that pivot relative to each other.
18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the stationary optics comprises first and second, spatially separated components.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the deflecting optics is arranged between the components of the stationary optics.
20. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deflecting optics includes a curved mirror.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
February 27, 2006
January 12, 2010
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